Quinoa Salad

This is my new favorite recipe! I love it! I make it and eat it as a snack or a light lunch, it is so yummy and the quinoa adds protein so it is filling and refreshing. Love it! :) It takes me about 5 days to eat it all, but it is good till the last drop! I get my quinoa in bulk at Winco, or Sunflower market. It is cheaper that way. I have made it in all different varieties of veggies, sometimes with whatever I have in my fridge.
Quinoa Salad Ingredients:
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup snow peas, shell peas, celery or green beans
- 1-2 carrots, peeled and sliced thin
- 1/2 green or red pepper, sliced thin
- 1 medium rip tomato
- 1 medium cucumber, peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, cilantro, or basil
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted sunflower seeds, or cashews
- Options: dried unsweetened cranberries, raisins or apricots, jalapeno pepper, fresh mint

Dressing
2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
Fresh ground pepper
Options: pinch of cayenne, garlic powder or fresh minced garlic, minced fresh or dried ginger.

Directions:
The quinoa can be made ahead of time and refrigerated if you like.
- Cook quinoa according to package directions, fluff gently with a fork.
- Blend dressing ingredients with a whisk
-gently combine veggies, walnuts, quinoa and dressing in a large bowl
- cover and chill (2-3 hours)